My 2017 quest for the perfect TT!
Well, another name change. This thread has gone from me look for sales advice to, me looking for a new trailer. So I am changing the name again to better reflect where this thread is currently at.
Forum Discussion
jungleexplorer wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
The new photos look more realistic regarding lighting. That should help reduce the number of "it doesn't look as nice as the photos" comments, yet won't hurt attracting people.
As for cash in hand, either you play the game (meaning show it to people who aren't interested) or you trade it in. That's the choice.
As to stating "must have cash in hand to see it", are you going to insist on seeing the cash when they arrive? Are you going count their cash to make sure they can afford the price? Seems to me you're making a requirement that is unenforceable - so why bother...
When I bought my first TT, I went without cash in hand. I didn't know if I was going to want it - why would I pull out that kind of money and carry it around? When I decided to buy it, the seller and I agreed on a pick up/money date (about 3 days later). I brought the cash then and left with the TT. During the 3 days, he left it on the market in case I flaked. It worked fine.
As for folks coming to see your TT "just looking" - I think you're assuming a hidden purpose that isn't there. They are not there to waste your time. They are there to look at your trailer that you are trying to sell. You can't expect the first person who comes to see it to be the person who ends up buying it. If that happens great, but it doesn't happen a lot.
Again, if you don't have time to show your trailer to prospective buyers, then trade it in and be done with it.
I don't disagree with you here. But we live in a world of dishonest irresponsible people and criminals. You cannot except personal checks or money orders today. Cash or a Cashiers check is about the only forms of payment that are reliable.
The cash in hand statement is simply an idea to generate the mentality that they must have the ability to pay for it when they come out here. I may not have sold an RV before or a car since the 1990s, but I am not foreign to sales. Your chances of selling something go down by 75% once that person walks out the door no matter what you are selling. If the person does not have the ability to close the dear when they get there, then there is no way to get any kind of commitment from them and you are fighting against human nature to change their mind. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind".
I bought a 2011 Sliverado 2500HD (to pull my new TT when I get it). I spent 6 weeks doing research and looking of the deal I wanted. I made one call to one person in 6 weeks, made the deal over the phone, went to the bank, cut the cashiers check for the full amount, drove the 400 miles to where the truck was, drove it and paid the man. That is how I deal with people. Is it too much to ask to be treated the same way? Maybe. Maybe I live to much higher standards then the world around me. All all I know is that, if you were selling to me, you would treated like I care about you and your time.
That sounds like you're pulling an attitude to me. YOU have higher standards than the rest of us. If that's the way you come across to the potential buyers than that is likely what is sending them away.
Why would anyone agree to a price before seeing or operating the vehicle/RV? That is not high standards. That is not respect. That is a seller's market - and you obviously don't have that.
You are not a salesman. You are a private seller. One of the reasons (possibly one of the main reasons) why people buy from private sellers is because they are not given the high pressure sales tactics. You are acting like a salesman and trying to sell to people who don't want to deal with a salesman. See a problem here?jungleexplorer wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
The new photos look more realistic regarding lighting. That should help reduce the number of "it doesn't look as nice as the photos" comments, yet won't hurt attracting people.
As for cash in hand, either you play the game (meaning show it to people who aren't interested) or you trade it in. That's the choice.
As to stating "must have cash in hand to see it", are you going to insist on seeing the cash when they arrive? Are you going count their cash to make sure they can afford the price? Seems to me you're making a requirement that is unenforceable - so why bother...
When I bought my first TT, I went without cash in hand. I didn't know if I was going to want it - why would I pull out that kind of money and carry it around? When I decided to buy it, the seller and I agreed on a pick up/money date (about 3 days later). I brought the cash then and left with the TT. During the 3 days, he left it on the market in case I flaked. It worked fine.
As for folks coming to see your TT "just looking" - I think you're assuming a hidden purpose that isn't there. They are not there to waste your time. They are there to look at your trailer that you are trying to sell. You can't expect the first person who comes to see it to be the person who ends up buying it. If that happens great, but it doesn't happen a lot.
Again, if you don't have time to show your trailer to prospective buyers, then trade it in and be done with it.
I don't disagree with you here. But we live in a world of dishonest irresponsible people and criminals. You cannot except personal checks or money orders today. Cash or a Cashiers check is about the only forms of payment that are reliable.
The cash in hand statement is simply an idea to generate the mentality that they must have the ability to pay for it when they come out here. I may not have sold an RV before or a car since the 1990s, but I am not foreign to sales. Your chances of selling something go down by 75% once that person walks out the door no matter what you are selling. If the person does not have the ability to close the dear when they get there, then there is no way to get any kind of commitment from them and you are fighting against human nature to change their mind. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind".
I bought a 2011 Sliverado 2500HD (to pull my new TT when I get it). I spent 6 weeks doing research and looking of the deal I wanted. I made one call to one person in 6 weeks, made the deal over the phone, went to the bank, cut the cashiers check for the full amount, drove the 400 miles to where the truck was, drove it and paid the man. That is how I deal with people. Is it too much to ask to be treated the same way? Maybe. Maybe I live to much higher standards then the world around me. All all I know is that, if you were selling to me, you would treated like I care about you and your time.
I have it fully hooked up and running. I have AC on, water in the tank, pump on, water heater on, septic hooked up, propane on. Literally, this TT is ready to hook up and hit the road.jungleexplorer wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
The new photos look more realistic regarding lighting. That should help reduce the number of "it doesn't look as nice as the photos" comments, yet won't hurt attracting people.
As for cash in hand, either you play the game (meaning show it to people who aren't interested) or you trade it in. That's the choice.
As to stating "must have cash in hand to see it", are you going to insist on seeing the cash when they arrive? Are you going count their cash to make sure they can afford the price? Seems to me you're making a requirement that is unenforceable - so why bother...
When I bought my first TT, I went without cash in hand. I didn't know if I was going to want it - why would I pull out that kind of money and carry it around? When I decided to buy it, the seller and I agreed on a pick up/money date (about 3 days later). I brought the cash then and left with the TT. During the 3 days, he left it on the market in case I flaked. It worked fine.
As for folks coming to see your TT "just looking" - I think you're assuming a hidden purpose that isn't there. They are not there to waste your time. They are there to look at your trailer that you are trying to sell. You can't expect the first person who comes to see it to be the person who ends up buying it. If that happens great, but it doesn't happen a lot.
Again, if you don't have time to show your trailer to prospective buyers, then trade it in and be done with it.
I don't disagree with you here. But we live in a world of dishonest irresponsible people and criminals. You cannot except personal checks or money orders today. Cash or a Cashiers check is about the only forms of payment that are reliable.
The cash in hand statement is simply an idea to generate the mentality that they must have the ability to pay for it when they come out here. I may not have sold an RV before or a car since the 1990s, but I am not foreign to sales. Your chances of selling something go down by 75% once that person walks out the door no matter what you are selling. If the person does not have the ability to close the dear when they get there, then there is no way to get any kind of commitment from them and you are fighting against human nature to change their mind. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind".
I bought a 2011 Sliverado 2500HD (to pull my new TT when I get it). I spent 6 weeks doing research and looking of the deal I wanted. I made one call to one person in 6 weeks, made the deal over the phone, went to the bank, cut the cashiers check for the full amount, drove the 400 miles to where the truck was, drove it and paid the man. That is how I deal with people. Is it too much to ask to be treated the same way? Maybe. Maybe I live to much higher standards then the world around me. All all I know is that, if you were selling to me, you would treated like I care about you and your time.
My new (used) truck.
toedtoes wrote:
The new photos look more realistic regarding lighting. That should help reduce the number of "it doesn't look as nice as the photos" comments, yet won't hurt attracting people.
As for cash in hand, either you play the game (meaning show it to people who aren't interested) or you trade it in. That's the choice.
As to stating "must have cash in hand to see it", are you going to insist on seeing the cash when they arrive? Are you going count their cash to make sure they can afford the price? Seems to me you're making a requirement that is unenforceable - so why bother...
When I bought my first TT, I went without cash in hand. I didn't know if I was going to want it - why would I pull out that kind of money and carry it around? When I decided to buy it, the seller and I agreed on a pick up/money date (about 3 days later). I brought the cash then and left with the TT. During the 3 days, he left it on the market in case I flaked. It worked fine.
As for folks coming to see your TT "just looking" - I think you're assuming a hidden purpose that isn't there. They are not there to waste your time. They are there to look at your trailer that you are trying to sell. You can't expect the first person who comes to see it to be the person who ends up buying it. If that happens great, but it doesn't happen a lot.
Again, if you don't have time to show your trailer to prospective buyers, then trade it in and be done with it.
I don't disagree with you here. But we live in a world of dishonest irresponsible people and criminals. You cannot except personal checks or money orders today. Cash or a Cashiers check is about the only forms of payment that are reliable.
The cash in hand statement is simply an idea to generate the mentality that they must have the ability to pay for it when they come out here. I may not have sold an RV before or a car since the 1990s, but I am not foreign to sales. Your chances of selling something go down by 75% once that person walks out the door no matter what you are selling. If the person does not have the ability to close the dear when they get there, then there is no way to get any kind of commitment from them and you are fighting against human nature to change their mind. "Out of Sight, Out of Mind".
I bought a 2011 Sliverado 2500HD (to pull my new TT when I get it). I spent 6 weeks doing research and looking of the deal I wanted. I made one call to one person in 6 weeks, made the deal over the phone, went to the bank, cut the cashiers check for the full amount, drove the 400 miles to where the truck was, drove it and paid the man. That is how I deal with people. Is it too much to ask to be treated the same way? Maybe. Maybe I live to much higher standards then the world around me. All all I know is that, if you were selling to me, you would treated like I care about you and your time.time2roll wrote:
Yes cash in hand is unrealistic in today's world. Most people are scared to carry $100 let alone $6,000 to go look at trailers for a few weeks.
More than likely you will be hauling the trailer down to their bank to to get money and transfer title.
Instead of wasting all day... schedule all showings at the same time during maybe a 1 hour window.jungleexplorer wrote:
One actually said she needed me to drag the trailer to a town 60 miles away and present the title to her bank before she could apply for a loan to pay for it. These are not serious buyers; they are people toying with the idea of buying a TT and wasting my time. And I consider that to be rude.
No, she wasn't wasting your time. You might have actually sold your trailer had you been willing to work with her.jungleexplorer wrote:
But what is unreasonable, is to expect a 12 year old brand new trailer, but want to get it for almost free.
To the buyer it is NOT a 12 year old BRAND NEW trailer. It is a 12 year old USED trailer. You can't put your personal opinion about your trailer on the buyer. They have no sentimental attachment to it; they have no "financial attachment" (as in they have to justify what they paid) to it; they have no personal pride (as in "look how well I took care of it") in it. To them, it is no different than any other trailer out there.
You also don't indicate, but are you letting them try out ALL the systems? Do you have water in the tank? Do you have a hose to connect to city water? Do you have propane in the tank? Do you plug in the shore power and cool down the fridge before the viewing? Any one of these things not being done could mean the sale.- I commented on the NADA sheet in your other thread.
Most of those options are probably not options... NADA for some inexplicable reason lists these as options, but they also say not to add them to the value if they came standard. You can be reasonably certain that the only actual option on the list was the 15K A/C, an upgrade from the standard 13.5K unit. Stuff like awnings, stab jacks and water heaters are included on every trailer built.
Prospective buyers who see your ad then look up the NADA value look at the base values, and in most cases, rightly so. Point out your larger than standard A/C as that should be a plus in Texas.
Price it right and it will sell. A lot of people don't want to dicker with a private seller. Decide what you really want and can get for your trailer, add a couple hundred bucks, and call it "firm". My guess is around $4500.They all said, "We have to go apply for a loan at the bank"
If the price was right, one of those people would have returned with a check in hand. jungleexplorer wrote:
rjxj wrote:
Screening the scammers who are asking for a check for you to pay shipping costs for their carrier to come pick it type bs is a different issue and just part of getting FREE advertising. Just forget it and delete that stuff. Go put it on there for $5200 and forget all the other stuff. It's not as personal as you are making it. It's like a flow chart or a trouble shooting chart.
If you want it gone NOW put it on there for $4000 today only bring cash and accept $3500. If you want $6000 or anything close keep torturing yourself and end up with it still sitting there. Just being honest. It socks but it is what it is.
Thanks for being honest. I am not torturing myself. I am just chatting here. I have to say something, or else my comments would be blank.
You are correct that I could sell it today for $4000, but people her expect to haggle and if you are not willing to haggle, they won't deal with you. If I list it for $4000 and they come out and feel the soft floor, they are going to offer $2000. If I want $4000, I have to start at $6000 so we can negotiate down to that.
But my problem has not been negotiation. My problem is that nobody that has come out here had any money. They all said, "We have to go apply for a loan at the bank". One actually said she would need me to drag the trailer to a town 60 miles away and present the title to her bank before she could apply for a loan to pay for it. These are not serious buyers; they are people toying with the idea of buying a TT and wasting my time. And I consider that to be rude.- The new photos look more realistic regarding lighting. That should help reduce the number of "it doesn't look as nice as the photos" comments, yet won't hurt attracting people.
As for cash in hand, either you play the game (meaning show it to people who aren't interested) or you trade it in. That's the choice.
As to stating "must have cash in hand to see it", are you going to insist on seeing the cash when they arrive? Are you going count their cash to make sure they can afford the price? Seems to me you're making a requirement that is unenforceable - so why bother...
When I bought my first TT, I went without cash in hand. I didn't know if I was going to want it - why would I pull out that kind of money and carry it around? When I decided to buy it, the seller and I agreed on a pick up/money date (about 3 days later). I brought the cash then and left with the TT. During the 3 days, he left it on the market in case I flaked. It worked fine.
As for folks coming to see your TT "just looking" - I think you're assuming a hidden purpose that isn't there. They are not there to waste your time. They are there to look at your trailer that you are trying to sell. You can't expect the first person who comes to see it to be the person who ends up buying it. If that happens great, but it doesn't happen a lot.
Again, if you don't have time to show your trailer to prospective buyers, then trade it in and be done with it. - nada means nothing
"pricing it right" it will sell when the buyer is willing to accept it at their price. You have zero control over their willingness other then saying here it is buyer decide.
As far as others in the market....well they are still for sale and you wont know what they sell for.
Of course you wont give it away for free and you are being silly for even saying that.
The price will be found as you keep dropping the price and the buyer decides to take it. The proof is that if you put it on there for $1000 right now you will have people in your driveway fighting for it without even walking into it.
Just because you dont like the price matters not.
You decided what you were willing to pay for it when you bought. Now it's someone else turn to decide what they will pay.
Strangely enough of 7 billion people on the earth no one can pin point the price. We can only make comparisons and guess. Part of it is also about time. Time could help you or it could hurt you. rjxj wrote:
Screening the scammers who are asking for a check for you to pay shipping costs for their carrier to come pick it type bs is a different issue and just part of getting FREE advertising. Just forget it and delete that stuff. Go put it on there for $5200 and forget all the other stuff. It's not as personal as you are making it. It's like a flow chart or a trouble shooting chart.
If you want it gone NOW put it on there for $4000 today only bring cash and accept $3500. If you want $6000 or anything close keep torturing yourself and end up with it still sitting there. Just being honest. It socks but it is what it is.
Thanks for being honest. I am not torturing myself. I am just chatting here. I have to say something, or else my comments would be blank.
You are correct that I could sell it today for $4000, but people her expect to haggle and if you are not will to haggle, they won't deal with you. If I list it for $4000 and they come out and feel the soft floor, they are going to offer $2000. It I want $4000, I have to start at $6000 so we can negotiate down to that.
But my problem has not been negotiation. My problem is that nobody that has come out here had any money. They all said, "We have to go apply for a loan at the bank". One actually said she needed me to drag the trailer to a town 60 miles away and present the title to her bank before she could apply for a loan to pay for it. These are not serious buyers; they are people toying with the idea of buying a TT and wasting my time. And I consider that to be rude.
